Their road to graduation may have taken a little longer, but for Wharton evening students graduation is just as sweet. And in celebration of their accomplishments, a reception was held at the Double Tree Inn in Center City on Sunday featuring speeches by Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell and Channel 10 anchor Renee Chenault. Approximately 85 parents, graduates and friends gathered on the third floor of the hotel to eat, drink and reminisce. Chenault told the graduates that she shares a certain "kinship" with them because she is a University alumna. She gave the audience some words of advice. "I'm here to congratulate you, but I'm also here to challenge," Chenault said. "It's important to give back." She also gave the students some background on her life, so they could see how she got to where she is today. After graduating from the University's Law School in the early 1980's, Chenault joined a New York law firm, but decided that law was not how she envisioned it. Growing up in the 1960's during the Civil Rights movement, Chenault wanted to be an agent for social change. She said she saw law as her opportunity to further that end. But after three years of practicing, she said that law was not accomplishing what she thought it would. So she went back to college, earned a degree in journalism and made a third of the salary she was paid as an attorney. But she said she had no regrets because she "absolutely positively loves" journalism and its ability to send important messages to the public. After Chenault's speech, Rendell briefly congratulated the Wharton students. He then switched the format of the event to a question and answer session. Topics raised ranged from Quaker basketball to Rendell's re-election campaign. At one point, he told the audience how he had recently been asked to be in a Top Ten segment of The Late Show with David Letterman. Mayors from all across the country were called upon to respond to New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani statement that "Our city can kick your city's ass." For Rendell's response, he stood in front of the Liberty Bell and said, "Ring this." Unfortunately, the bit never appeared on the show because of election rules limiting the air time a candidate can receive. After Rendell's question and answer session, graduates and guests were treated to a scrumptious brunch.
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